M.I.N.D. You, There Are More Cases of Autism

I’ve suspected that the rise in diagnoses of ASD is linked to many factors, one of them better detection. You, too? Not so, says a new study.

“It’s time to start looking for the environmental culprits responsible for the remarkable increase in the rate of autism in California…We’re looking at the possible effects of metals, pesticides and infectious agents on neurodevelopment,” said researcher Irva Hertz-Piccoto.

The UC Davis M.I.N.D (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute study took data from 1990 through 2006 in databases of the California Department of Developmental Services, which coordinates services for individuals with specific developmental disorders.

Here’s the lowdown on what they found:

The diagnoses of autism by age six in California has increased from fewer than 9 in 10,000 for children born in 1990 to more than 44 in 10,000 for children born in 2000.

Age-specific incidence rates increased most steeply for 2- and 3-year-olds.

Less than 1/10 of the rise in autism diagnoses can be explained by the inclusion of milder cases of ASD.

Only 24% of the cases can be explained away by earlier age at the time of diagnosis.

The rise in ASD cases are not linked to a more diverse California, as the disorder affects different ethnic groups at about the same rate.

These are fairly small percentages compared to the size of the increase that we’ve seen in the state, said Hertz-Piccolo.

I agree that the environmental factors must be studied better. Certainly, genetics may play a role. But I suspect that the heavy metals in our environment, building up in mamas’ bodies before we give birth, may affect our offspring along with the gene pool and oft-demonized vaccines.

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Comments

In regards to the mercury that has been removed from the vaccinations: from what i understand, it apparently was there as a preservative. My concern is, since it has been removed, what has replaced it as the preservative?
Something we’ll be reeling over in a few years?
Nothing?
Does anyone know?????

The only problem with this theory is that there are many families with 2, 3, 4 children all raised the same way in the same place, and only one is autistic. So while environmental factors may be part of the big picture, some families don’t vaccinate at all (like ours) and live a pretty healthy lifestyle and still have children firmly on the spectrum (as well as children not on the spectrum).

So I feel like genetics is still a pretty huge part of autism. In some cases autism or autism-like symptoms may be an indicator of a genetic sensitivity to foods and environmental toxins. Or that the “quirks” that run in certain families can combine to create autism when both sides merge. (I think this is what happened in our case.)

There’s also the confusion between “classic autism” what my daughter has, where you are autistic from birth and there is no regression, and regressive autism which in my opinion is sometimes not actually autism, but vaccine-induced brain damage and/or metabolic dysfunction that gets misdiagnosed as autism. There may be a rise in classical autism as well, particularly in places like CA because people who work with computers often have at least a toe on the spectrum, and put two Aspie’s together…

But those are just my personal theories based on my reading and talking to people on the spectrum and parents of children on the spectrum, I don’t have any specific studies to cite to back that up.

I just love that you added your 2 cents here, Veej. You’ve definitely made this issue a bigger part in my life, and it is fantastic to hear from someone it hits home for.
Yes, I have always wondered about families where everything was done the same (and especially in your case, oh-so-healthfully) for more than one child, yet only one become a child with ASD. I certainly do think that it is a case of genetics. But I don’t think that ASD can be explained away by the gene pool. I think genetics, combined with what we as parents come in contact with over years before conception may play a part. And since ASD isn’t selective, it isn’t selective within families, either. Within the same family, genetics plays different roles: as you know, looking at how different your girls look! 😉
Overall, it is such a huge issue that we *must* get more funding and figure this thing out! We may never find a “cure”, but finding out the whys will help families be more proactive according to exposures to the many environmental elements. Not to mention the genetic engineering future of the world: I won’t even try to touch that topic right now!

To the “Concerned Dad”: Joe, click on the link for “aluminum and other excipients” in this blog and it will bring you to a page that shows all the extra stuff in vaccines. Generally, aluminum is used as the preservative now. That’s what is worrying me currently and making me shy away from vaccinating my younger son. My older boy was minimally vaccinated, and mow the same pediatrician is so understanding about us holding off on my 10-month-old. We’re just on the page of “Not right now.”
The other issue with vaccines, of course, is that each one was tested by the manufacturer for safety ALONE. They were not tested as prescribed in the current vaccination schedule. Many “regular” (versus holistic) pediatricians give children multiple shots at once. Can the CDC tell me that 4-6 shots (all preserved with heavy metals) are perfectly safe? Until I feel completely safe in their answer, we’re holding off until my little guy is a bit older.

I blogged about this same study. I agree with Irva Hertz-Picciotto the head researcher behind this study. Just think about all the pesticides, and chemicals in our environment today compared to 1990. A lot has changed and I’m sure it has an affect on our children. I also agree that we need more research to pinpoint exactly what environmental factors are contributing to the rise in autism cases here in California.

[…] This beautiful little girl is the youngest of my five children. She is the one who makes me break out into a sweat any time we venture into a grocery store, doctors office, library (or any other new location). She is the angel who needs her blankets on in a specific order, her favorite stuffed toys (pandy and puppy) each on their side and six rounds of “huggy and kissy” before she will settle into bed. She is possibly one of the rising numbers of children on the Autism Spectrum. […]

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About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.